FIFA’s Infantino defends US as World Cup host amid visa row, entry denials

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the United States as a host for the 2026 World Cup on March 14, 2024, amid ongoing issues with visa denials and entry refusals for individuals associated with the tournament. Infantino stated that FIFA, as a sports organization, cannot dictate government immigration policies, following reports of a Somali referee being denied entry into the U.S. He emphasized that FIFA's role is to organize the competition, not to influence national border controls. The FIFA chief acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence that solutions would be found to ensure all participants can attend. The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the U.S. hosting the majority of the matches. This incident highlights potential logistical and diplomatic hurdles for the upcoming global sporting event.